As the week with Gaya flew by in the blink of an eye, Michael found himself back at the safehouse, ready to embark on his journey to the realm of the gods. He bid farewell to his loving wife and friends, expressing his gratitude and promising to return. In the hall, he found Elidyr waiting with the teleporter, the key to his next destination. Vedora perched on Michael's shoulder, the loyal companion accompanying him on this perilous journey. With a sense of determination and anticipation, Michael took a deep breath, knowing that the realm of the gods held both challenges and opportunities that he was prepared to face.
"Everything's ready," Elidyr said, though his concern for the perilous journey ahead was evident in his expression. Despite his worries, he knew that the Dark Lord's decision was final, and he couldn't dissuade him from venturing into the realm of gods.
"There's no point in delaying this any longer. Activate the portal, Elidyr," urged Michael, his determination unwavering.
Without hesitation, Elidyr ascended the stairs leading to the swirling vortex. His fingers traced the intricate runes engraved on the portal's frame, each glowing with power. As the runes activated, a distortion rippled through the air, signaling the gateway to the realm of gods was opening.
Ayag, perched on Michael's shoulder, showed no signs of fear, only excitement for the legendary adventure that lay ahead.
"As you wish," Elidyr replied solemnly, fully aware of the risks involved. He carefully ensured that no one else entered the hall during the activation to avoid any possible complications.
Reluctantly, Michael had agreed to take Vedora with him, mainly because the system had recommended it. Though Vedora hadn't been growing in size, Michael hoped that the realm of gods might hold the key to unlocking Vedora's true potential.
As Elidyr activated the runes one by one, the black vortex began to form within the teleporter, pulling him towards it. Reacting quickly, Michael rushed up the stairs and pulled Elidyr back with a single strong motion, keeping him safe from the vortex's grasp.
"Time doesn't flow differently in the realm of gods, so you'll see me soon, hopefully," Michael raised his voice over the howling sound of the vortex.
Elidyr's concern was evident as he shouted back, "Don't take too long, my lord."
With a warm smile, Michael reassured him, "Look after Gaya and the others."
As he stepped into the swirling portal, Michael turned back to Elidyr and nodded, "I'll see you soon."
"See yah around, old man," Ayag chimed in excitedly before Michael disappeared into the portal.
As Michael traveled through the swirling portal of colors, he couldn't help but feel the weight of recent events weighing on him. The glimpses of his battle with Noah and all the challenges he had faced in the past weeks played before his eyes like vivid memories.
Amidst the journey, Ayag and Sarba expressed their excitement while witnessing the vibrant images surrounding them.
"What is this?" Ayag questioned curiously.
"A ripple in time and space is causing this," Cain explained.
Lost in his thoughts, Michael remained silent, contemplating everything he had experienced. The revelation of Noah being his twin brother still left him in disbelief.
Breaking the silence, Sarba spoke up, "Are you going to be this silent the whole way? We have no idea how long it'll take us to reach the realm of gods. So we should talk more."
Acknowledging the need for conversation, Michael asked, "What do you wanna talk about?"
Sarba hesitated for a moment before bringing up a name, "Actually, I wanted to say something. You know Yasmine Winston?"
The mention of the name jogged Michael's memory. He recalled meeting her during the baby shower of Princess Katherine, when he confronted King Bredia.
"Noah's cousin?" Michael inquired.
"Yes," Sarba nodded.
"What about her?" Michael asked.
"I don't know. Aria said she's been meeting with some important people in Awor. Also, she didn't partake in the war. I wonder what's more important than fighting the Dark Lord," Ayag pondered.
"Whatever she is planning, Gaya can take care of it," Michael said.
"Why do I feel like you want her to face everything by herself?" Ayag frowned, surprised that Michael's intentions were evident.
"She needs to. I can't always be around her. She used to face everything alone, but now she's starting to depend on me slightly. She is a queen born to lead, so she must lead. This will be a good opportunity for her to lead from the shadows and take care of things while I'm away," Michael explained.
"But isn't that the opposite of what the previous Dark Lord said? He was with her, and still, the previous Gaya died. So why are you letting her do this alone?" asked Ayag.
"Maybe the reason she died is that the previous Dark Lord tried to protect her too much. Sometimes you gotta take risks," Michael responded.
As they continued discussing Yasmine and even Eve's sister, Michael remained oblivious to the fact that they were clones sent by the Skyhall. Regardless of the Skyhall's plans, Michael had no intention of dealing with them, as he had bigger worries on his mind. Several weeks had passed since Michael entered the portal, and both he and Vedora had grown quite bored.
In an attempt to alleviate their boredom, Michael bought a special chess board and taught Vedora how to play. As the days turned into a month, the once-vibrant rainbow tunnel through which they traveled began losing its color, and a whistling wind surrounded them.
"I think we're finally here," Michael remarked, but before Vedora could respond, a powerful force sucked them forward, causing Michael to feel as though his body was being torn apart. Closing his eyes, he held onto Vedora tightly to keep them both safe. Suddenly, there was a loud bang, and Michael found himself shot out of the portal.
When he opened his eyes, he saw that they had landed on a breathtaking grassland outside a lush and beautiful forest. Michael instantly recalled Nithroel's words, realizing that they must be in the forest of Elrian, ruled by the goddess Marli. As per Nithroel's advice, Michael knew he had to seek Marli's help before venturing into Nimbosia, the kingdom of the god of rain.
The forest of Elrian was unlike any other that Michael had ever seen. Towering ancient trees stretched towards the heavens, their branches intertwining to form a majestic canopy that filtered rays of sunlight, creating a dance of light and shadow on the forest floor. The air was filled with the fragrance of blooming flowers, and the sound of birds singing and leaves rustling added to the enchanting atmosphere.
As Michael and Vedora stepped deeper into the forest, they heard faint whispers carried on the gentle breeze. At first, Michael couldn't decipher the words, but soon they became clearer. A lady's voice called out to him, addressing him as the "Dark Lord" and the "God of Darkness."
"Dark Lord," the voice whispered seductively, "venture deeper into the heart of the forest. Embrace your true power and darkness. Let the shadows guide you to unimaginable strength."
Michael felt a pull towards the source of the voice, a mix of intrigue and caution swirling within him. He knew he had to be careful, for this could be a trap or a test from Marli, the goddess of the forest. But he couldn't resist the temptation to explore further.
"Marli, I presume?" Michael asked as he ventured further into the forest, undeterred by the haunting whispers around him. He recalled Nithroel's warning about keeping his distance from the lustful goddess, but he remained steadfast.
"You know me, how lovely," the whispers took on a seductive tone, making Ayag uncomfortable on Michael's shoulder.
"Dude, this is creeping me out," Ayag chimed in.
"Now, I want to see you fight, handsome. But on my terms," the whispers grew louder, and the forest began to shift and change. The fauna cleared, creating an empty space in the middle of the forest. Michael felt his power being drained, as if Marli had absolute control over him in her domain.
Unsheathing his dark swords, Michael cracked his neck and stood ready. Seven men clad in armor made of bark and leaves emerged from the surroundings. Their faces hidden behind masks made of tree barks, and each wielded a silver sword with four arms.
"Is this how you welcome another god into your domain?" Michael challenged, wondering how Marli could sense his presence despite wearing Nithroel's medallion, which was supposed to mask his godly aura from others.
Seemingly reading his mind, Marli responded with a mysterious air, "I forged that medallion for Nithroel, my dear Dark Lord. But don't worry, your secret is safe with me. Now, show me how you survive in battle."
As Marli's whispers echoed through the forest, veins shot out from the ground, wrapping tightly around Michael's legs and torso. They felt like living tendrils, strong and unyielding. Above him, more veins descended from the branches of the trees, latching onto his arms and restricting his movements.
The masked figures, each displaying uncanny speed and coordination, dashed at Michael from all directions. Their silver swords glinted in the dappled sunlight filtering through the dense canopy. Michael struggled to free himself from the grip of the magical veins, but they seemed to tighten with every move he made.
"Don't think I'll let you off easy, my dear," Marli whispered, her voice tinged with amusement and intrigue.
But Michael surprised her by remaining calm and composed. As the first masked figure dashed at him, his eyes turned black, and two dark beams shot out from them. Simultaneously, Vedora sprang into action, using their three hydra heads to chew through the veins that bound Michael's arms.
"This is your domain, but you forgot one thing, Marli," Michael said with a sly smile as he broke free from the remaining veins with Vedora's assistance. The attackers hesitated, intrigued by Michael's words.
"What is that, deary?" asked Marli, genuinely curious.
"Forget it," Michael chuckled, knowing he had to play his cards right. "I'll just kill them."
With a swift motion of his hand, Michael unleashed the dark flames, enveloping the attackers in shadows. The forest erupted with chaos as the masked figures struggled to defend themselves against Michael's overwhelming power.
Marli watched with a mix of fascination and satisfaction as Michael effortlessly dispatched the attackers. He moved with the grace of a dancer, his dark swords slicing through the air, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.
Despite the intensity of the battle, Michael held back from using his full strength. He knew Marli wasn't trying to kill him; she wanted to witness his prowess. And so, he gave her a captivating performance, using his power and skills to put on a show.
As the last masked figure succumbed to Michael's dark swords, the forest fell silent. But suddenly, a rustle broke the stillness, drawing his attention. Emerging from the shadows, a woman adorned in little more than a few strategically placed leaves approached him with a seductive grace.
"Hello, my dear Dark Lord," purred Marli, her voice a sultry melody that sent shivers down Michael's spine.
As the week with Gaya flew by in the blink of an eye, Michael found himself back at the safehouse, ready to embark on his journey to the realm of the gods. He bid farewell to his loving wife and friends, expressing his gratitude and promising to return. In the hall, he found Elidyr waiting with the teleporter, the key to his next destination. Vedora perched on Michael's shoulder, the loyal companion accompanying him on this perilous journey. With a sense of determination and anticipation, Michael took a deep breath, knowing that the realm of the gods held both challenges and opportunities that he was prepared to face.
"Everything's ready," Elidyr said, though his concern for the perilous journey ahead was evident in his expression. Despite his worries, he knew that the Dark Lord's decision was final, and he couldn't dissuade him from venturing into the realm of gods.
"There's no point in delaying this any longer. Activate the portal, Elidyr," urged Michael, his determination unwavering.
Without hesitation, Elidyr ascended the stairs leading to the swirling vortex. His fingers traced the intricate runes engraved on the portal's frame, each glowing with power. As the runes activated, a distortion rippled through the air, signaling the gateway to the realm of gods was opening.
Ayag, perched on Michael's shoulder, showed no signs of fear, only excitement for the legendary adventure that lay ahead.
"As you wish," Elidyr replied solemnly, fully aware of the risks involved. He carefully ensured that no one else entered the hall during the activation to avoid any possible complications.
Reluctantly, Michael had agreed to take Vedora with him, mainly because the system had recommended it. Though Vedora hadn't been growing in size, Michael hoped that the realm of gods might hold the key to unlocking Vedora's true potential.
As Elidyr activated the runes one by one, the black vortex began to form within the teleporter, pulling him towards it. Reacting quickly, Michael rushed up the stairs and pulled Elidyr back with a single strong motion, keeping him safe from the vortex's grasp.
"Time doesn't flow differently in the realm of gods, so you'll see me soon, hopefully," Michael raised his voice over the howling sound of the vortex.
Elidyr's concern was evident as he shouted back, "Don't take too long, my lord."
With a warm smile, Michael reassured him, "Look after Gaya and the others."
As he stepped into the swirling portal, Michael turned back to Elidyr and nodded, "I'll see you soon."
"See yah around, old man," Ayag chimed in excitedly before Michael disappeared into the portal.
As Michael traveled through the swirling portal of colors, he couldn't help but feel the weight of recent events weighing on him. The glimpses of his battle with Noah and all the challenges he had faced in the past weeks played before his eyes like vivid memories.
Amidst the journey, Ayag and Sarba expressed their excitement while witnessing the vibrant images surrounding them.
"What is this?" Ayag questioned curiously.
"A ripple in time and space is causing this," Cain explained.
Lost in his thoughts, Michael remained silent, contemplating everything he had experienced. The revelation of Noah being his twin brother still left him in disbelief.
Breaking the silence, Sarba spoke up, "Are you going to be this silent the whole way? We have no idea how long it'll take us to reach the realm of gods. So we should talk more."
Acknowledging the need for conversation, Michael asked, "What do you wanna talk about?"
Sarba hesitated for a moment before bringing up a name, "Actually, I wanted to say something. You know Yasmine Winston?"
The mention of the name jogged Michael's memory. He recalled meeting her during the baby shower of Princess Katherine, when he confronted King Bredia.
"Noah's cousin?" Michael inquired.
"Yes," Sarba nodded.
"What about her?" Michael asked.
"I don't know. Aria said she's been meeting with some important people in Awor. Also, she didn't partake in the war. I wonder what's more important than fighting the Dark Lord," Ayag pondered.
"Whatever she is planning, Gaya can take care of it," Michael said.
"Why do I feel like you want her to face everything by herself?" Ayag frowned, surprised that Michael's intentions were evident.
"She needs to. I can't always be around her. She used to face everything alone, but now she's starting to depend on me slightly. She is a queen born to lead, so she must lead. This will be a good opportunity for her to lead from the shadows and take care of things while I'm away," Michael explained.
"But isn't that the opposite of what the previous Dark Lord said? He was with her, and still, the previous Gaya died. So why are you letting her do this alone?" asked Ayag.
"Maybe the reason she died is that the previous Dark Lord tried to protect her too much. Sometimes you gotta take risks," Michael responded.
As they continued discussing Yasmine and even Eve's sister, Michael remained oblivious to the fact that they were clones sent by the Skyhall. Regardless of the Skyhall's plans, Michael had no intention of dealing with them, as he had bigger worries on his mind. Several weeks had passed since Michael entered the portal, and both he and Vedora had grown quite bored.
In an attempt to alleviate their boredom, Michael bought a special chess board and taught Vedora how to play. As the days turned into a month, the once-vibrant rainbow tunnel through which they traveled began losing its color, and a whistling wind surrounded them.
"I think we're finally here," Michael remarked, but before Vedora could respond, a powerful force sucked them forward, causing Michael to feel as though his body was being torn apart. Closing his eyes, he held onto Vedora tightly to keep them both safe. Suddenly, there was a loud bang, and Michael found himself shot out of the portal.
When he opened his eyes, he saw that they had landed on a breathtaking grassland outside a lush and beautiful forest. Michael instantly recalled Nithroel's words, realizing that they must be in the forest of Elrian, ruled by the goddess Marli. As per Nithroel's advice, Michael knew he had to seek Marli's help before venturing into Nimbosia, the kingdom of the god of rain.
The forest of Elrian was unlike any other that Michael had ever seen. Towering ancient trees stretched towards the heavens, their branches intertwining to form a majestic canopy that filtered rays of sunlight, creating a dance of light and shadow on the forest floor. The air was filled with the fragrance of blooming flowers, and the sound of birds singing and leaves rustling added to the enchanting atmosphere.
As Michael and Vedora stepped deeper into the forest, they heard faint whispers carried on the gentle breeze. At first, Michael couldn't decipher the words, but soon they became clearer. A lady's voice called out to him, addressing him as the "Dark Lord" and the "God of Darkness."
"Dark Lord," the voice whispered seductively, "venture deeper into the heart of the forest. Embrace your true power and darkness. Let the shadows guide you to unimaginable strength."
Michael felt a pull towards the source of the voice, a mix of intrigue and caution swirling within him. He knew he had to be careful, for this could be a trap or a test from Marli, the goddess of the forest. But he couldn't resist the temptation to explore further.
"Marli, I presume?" Michael asked as he ventured further into the forest, undeterred by the haunting whispers around him. He recalled Nithroel's warning about keeping his distance from the lustful goddess, but he remained steadfast.
"You know me, how lovely," the whispers took on a seductive tone, making Ayag uncomfortable on Michael's shoulder.
"Dude, this is creeping me out," Ayag chimed in.
"Now, I want to see you fight, handsome. But on my terms," the whispers grew louder, and the forest began to shift and change. The fauna cleared, creating an empty space in the middle of the forest. Michael felt his power being drained, as if Marli had absolute control over him in her domain.
Unsheathing his dark swords, Michael cracked his neck and stood ready. Seven men clad in armor made of bark and leaves emerged from the surroundings. Their faces hidden behind masks made of tree barks, and each wielded a silver sword with four arms.
"Is this how you welcome another god into your domain?" Michael challenged, wondering how Marli could sense his presence despite wearing Nithroel's medallion, which was supposed to mask his godly aura from others.
Seemingly reading his mind, Marli responded with a mysterious air, "I forged that medallion for Nithroel, my dear Dark Lord. But don't worry, your secret is safe with me. Now, show me how you survive in battle."
As Marli's whispers echoed through the forest, veins shot out from the ground, wrapping tightly around Michael's legs and torso. They felt like living tendrils, strong and unyielding. Above him, more veins descended from the branches of the trees, latching onto his arms and restricting his movements.
The masked figures, each displaying uncanny speed and coordination, dashed at Michael from all directions. Their silver swords glinted in the dappled sunlight filtering through the dense canopy. Michael struggled to free himself from the grip of the magical veins, but they seemed to tighten with every move he made.
"Don't think I'll let you off easy, my dear," Marli whispered, her voice tinged with amusement and intrigue.
But Michael surprised her by remaining calm and composed. As the first masked figure dashed at him, his eyes turned black, and two dark beams shot out from them. Simultaneously, Vedora sprang into action, using their three hydra heads to chew through the veins that bound Michael's arms.
"This is your domain, but you forgot one thing, Marli," Michael said with a sly smile as he broke free from the remaining veins with Vedora's assistance. The attackers hesitated, intrigued by Michael's words.
"What is that, deary?" asked Marli, genuinely curious.
"Forget it," Michael chuckled, knowing he had to play his cards right. "I'll just kill them."
With a swift motion of his hand, Michael unleashed the dark flames, enveloping the attackers in shadows. The forest erupted with chaos as the masked figures struggled to defend themselves against Michael's overwhelming power.
Marli watched with a mix of fascination and satisfaction as Michael effortlessly dispatched the attackers. He moved with the grace of a dancer, his dark swords slicing through the air, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.
Despite the intensity of the battle, Michael held back from using his full strength. He knew Marli wasn't trying to kill him; she wanted to witness his prowess. And so, he gave her a captivating performance, using his power and skills to put on a show.
As the last masked figure succumbed to Michael's dark swords, the forest fell silent. But suddenly, a rustle broke the stillness, drawing his attention. Emerging from the shadows, a woman adorned in little more than a few strategically placed leaves approached him with a seductive grace.
"Hello, my dear Dark Lord," purred Marli, her voice a sultry melody that sent shivers down Michael's spine.
